A peaceful night passed.
Morning arrived quietly.
Golden sunlight spread across the academy grounds.
Birds chirped in the tall trees surrounding the training field.
The cool morning air carried the scent of fresh grass.
Near the center of the ground—
Three figures were already waiting.
Riven stretched his arms lazily.
Sylven stood calmly beside him.
And Kael observed the field in silence.
A moment later—
Tap… Tap…
Light footsteps approached.
Lyra walked toward them.
"Good morning."
Everyone nodded.
"Morning," Riven replied.
Sylven gave a small smile.
Kael glanced at the sky briefly, then said,
"I think we should start training."
Riven scratched the back of his head.
"…Then what about Iren?"
For a moment, no one spoke.
Kael sighed quietly.
"…I regret it."
"But we don't have another option."
"He still needs rest."
The others nodded reluctantly.
Even Kael looked slightly disappointed.
Without another word—
They began walking toward the middle of the training ground.
But then—
Tap… Tap… Tap…
Footsteps echoed behind them in the quiet morning air.
A familiar voice spoke.
"Starting training… without me?"
Everyone froze.
Then they quickly turned around.
Their eyes widened.
Standing behind them—
was Iren.
Sylven immediately stepped forward.
"Iren?"
"Why are you here?"
"You should still be resting."
Iren shrugged casually.
"Resting?"
"I've already recovered."
Riven's face lit up instantly.
"You're back?!"
Kael observed him carefully for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"…Good."
"It's nice to see you on the training ground again."
Riven raised both fists excitedly.
"Yes!"
"Now the real training can start!"
Iren laughed softly.
Kael then spoke again, his tone becoming serious.
"But remember one thing."
"Iren."
Iren looked at him.
Kael continued firmly.
"Do not use that new power again."
"At least not during training."
Iren nodded without hesitation.
"Alright."
"I promise."
"I won't use Level Three."
Kael studied his face for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Good."
He turned toward the others.
"Then we'll continue with the same teams."
Riven cracked his knuckles.
"Finally."
Sylven adjusted his grip on his spear.
Kael pointed toward the left side of the field.
"We'll train there."
The three of them walked toward the far side of the ground.
---
Left Side of the Field
Riven dashed forward instantly.
WHOOSH
His body blurred.
Sylven blocked his strike with his spear.
CLANG!
Riven phased through the next attack.
His body flickered like a ghost.
Then—
THUD
Kael's spear slammed into the ground between them.
A powerful spatial barrier expanded outward.
BOOM
The ground trembled slightly.
Riven jumped back.
"Whoa!"
"You're getting stronger, Kael!"
Kael replied calmly,
"You're getting careless."
Sylven thrust his spear forward again.
CLASH
The sound of metal echoed across the field.
Their movements were sharper now.
Faster.
Stronger.
Their training had clearly intensified.
---
Right Side of the Field
Meanwhile—
Iren and Lyra stood facing each other.
Lyra slowly pulled out her twin daggers.
SHING
The blades glimmered in the sunlight.
Iren reached behind his back.
His sword slid out.
SHHHK
Then—
The blade split apart.
Two daggers formed in his hands.
Lyra narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Just remember something."
"You're not using Level Three."
Iren sighed.
"Yes, yes."
"I promised already."
Then he tilted his head.
"But do me a favor too."
Lyra raised an eyebrow.
"What favor?"
Iren pointed one dagger at her.
"You won't use your Time Domain."
Lyra smirked slightly.
"Oh?"
"But why?"
"You're the famous hero of the academy now."
"Mr. Popular."
Iren groaned.
"Oh come on."
"You're teasing me again."
Lyra chuckled softly.
Iren continued,
"I know you improved your Time Domain."
"If you use it…"
"My Level Two won't stand a chance."
Lyra shrugged playfully.
"…Fine."
"I won't use it."
Iren smiled.
"Thanks."
Then his expression became serious.
"Now."
"Let's begin."
Lyra nodded.
Both of them bent slightly—
Then—
WHOOSH
They rushed toward each other.
CLANG!
Their daggers collided instantly.
Sparks flew.
Lyra moved first.
Her body flickered.
FLASH
A short time-skip.
She appeared behind Iren.
But—
FWOOSH
Flames erupted around Iren's daggers.
Level Two — Inferno.
He spun around quickly.
CLANG!
Their blades collided again.
Lyra moved with incredible speed.
Her foresight guided her movements.
Every attack seemed perfectly timed.
But Iren matched her step for step.
His flames enhanced his speed and strength.
CLASH! CLANG! CLING!
Metal echoed across the field.
Lyra jumped backward.
Then dashed forward again.
Iren blocked.
Countered.
Their movements grew faster and faster.
Neither one gave ground.
Sweat formed on their foreheads.
But both of them were smiling slightly.
It was a fair fight.
A real fight.
Without their strongest abilities.
---
Two Weeks Later
The training continued every day.
Morning to evening.
Day after day.
Each member pushed themselves harder.
Riven's phasing became faster.
Sylven's stamina synchronization improved.
Kael's spatial defenses grew stronger.
Lyra's reaction speed sharpened.
And Iren—
continued mastering Level Two — Inferno.
Two weeks passed like this.
And now—
Only one month remained
before the Inter-Academy Tournament.
The real battle was getting closer.
---